DE112008002212T5 - Stabilized lithium metal powder for Li-ion applications, composition and manufacturing process - Google Patents

Abstract

A stabilized lithium metal powder coated with a substantially continuous polymer layer, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrenes, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyformaldehyde, styrene-butadiene-styrene block polymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate , Ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyethylene oxide, polyimides, polythiophenes, poly (para-phenylene), polyaniline, poly (p-phenylenevinylene), copolymers based on silica titania, unsaturated polycarboxylic acids and polysiloxanes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

These Registration claims the priority of the following U.S. Provisional Application: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 969,267, filed August 31 2007, and includes them here by reference in their entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The The present invention relates to stabilized lithium metal powder ("SLMP") with improved air and solvent stability and a longer shelf life. Such a thing Enhanced SLMP can be used in a wide variety of applications including organometallic and polymer syntheses, Lithium Primary Batteries, Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium- and lithium-ion batteries or rechargeable lithium and Lithium-ion batteries have recently been used in certain applications, like in cell phones, camcorders and laptop computers, and even Recently, in high energy applications, such as in electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, use found. It is in In these applications, it is preferable that the accumulators have the highest possible have specific capacity, but still safe operating conditions and good cycle resistance, hence the high specific capacity maintained in subsequent recharge and discharge cycles is, have.

Even though There are different construction methods for accumulators includes each build up a positive electrode (or cathode), a negative one Electrode (or anode), a separator, the cathode and the Anode separates, and an electrolyte in electrochemical connection with the cathode and the anode. For lithium batteries are Transports lithium ions through the electrolyte from the anode to the cathode when the accumulator is discharged, d. H. for his special Application is used. During this process will be Electrons collected from the anode and through an external circuit led to the cathode. If the secondary battery charged or recharged, the lithium ions are replaced by the Electrolytes transported from the cathode to the anode.

Lithium accumulators have been produced in the past using non-lithiated high specific capacity compounds such as TiS ₂ , MoS ₂ , MnO ₂ and V ₂ O ₅ as active cathode materials. These cathode active materials were often connected to a lithium metal anode. When the battery was discharged, lithium ions were transported through the electrolyte from the lithium metal anode to the cathode. Unfortunately, the lithium metal developed dendrites during cycling, eventually leading to unsafe battery conditions. As a result, in the early 1990's, production of these types of accumulators ceased in favor of lithium-ion batteries.

In lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal oxides such as LiCoO ₂ and LiNiO ₂ are typically used as active cathode materials bonded to a carbon-based anode. In these batteries, the formation of lithium dendrites on the anode is avoided, making the battery safer. The lithium, the amount of which determines the battery capacity, but is supplied entirely by the cathode. This limits the choice of active cathode materials because the active materials must contain removable lithium. In addition, the delithiated products corresponding to LiCoO ₂ and LiNiO ₂ and during charging (eg Li _x CoO ₂ and Li _x NiO ₂ where 0.4 <x <1.0) and overcharge (ie Li _x CoO ₂ and Li _x NiO ₂ wherein x <0.4) are not stable. In particular, these delithiated products tend to react with the electrolyte and generate heat, leading to concerns about safety.

Another option is lithium metal. However, lithium metal, particularly lithium metal powder, can be daunting due to its large surface area for its use in a variety of applications due to the pyrophoric nature. It is known to stabilize lithium metal powder by passivating the surface of the metal powder with CO ₂ , as shown in FIGS U.S. Patent Nos. 5,567,474 . 5776369 and 5976403 whose disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. However, the CO ₂ -passivated lithium metal powder can only be used in low-humidity air for a limited period of time before the content of lithium metal decreases due to the reaction of lithium metal and air.

Therefore, there is still a need for stabilized lithium metal powder that provides improved stability and storage stability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a lithium metal powder protected by a substantially uninterrupted layer of a polymer. Such a substantially uninterrupted polymer layer provides improved protection as compared to a typical CO ₂ passivation. The resulting lithium metal powder has improved air and solvent stability and improved storage stability. In addition, the polymer-protected lithium metal powder exhibits significantly better stability in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), which is commonly used as a slurry solvent in the process of electrode fabrication and reacts with unprotected lithium.

aims and advantages of the present invention will be described by way of description various embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings more clearly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1 is an ARSST stability test of CO ₂ -coated SLMP (Comparative Example 2) with NMP as supplied (<100 ppm moisture) and with NMP added with 0.6% water.

2 is an ARSST stability test of PEO-coated SLMP (Example 2) with NMP added with 0.6% water.

3 is an ARSST stability test of EVA-coated SLMP with NMP spiked with 0.6% water, Example 10.

4 is an ARSST stability test of SBR-coated SLMP with NMP spiked with 0.6% water, Example 7.

5 is an ARSST stability test of BYK P 104 (low molecular weight polycarboxylic acid polymer) coated SLMP with NMP added with 0.6% water, Example 3.

6 shows the effect of polymer-coated lithium on the electrochemical behavior

7 is an ARSST stability test of CO ₂ -coated SLMP and Example 11.

8A . 8B and 8C are SEM images of samples prepared using different process parameters.

9A is a comparison of lithium metal concentration in anhydrous NMP as a function of time.

9B is a comparison of lithium metal concentration in NMP added with 0.6% water as a function of time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings and the following detailed description Various embodiments will be described in detail described in order to enable the implementation of the invention. Although the invention is with reference to these specific embodiments It is understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments is limited. Much more on the contrary, the invention includes numerous alternatives, Modifications and equivalents, as from the appreciation the following detailed description and the accompanying Drawings will become apparent.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed associated terms. As used herein, the singular forms "a / a" and "the" should also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "comprising" and / or "comprising" when used in this specification indicate the presence of said features, integers, steps, actions, elements and / or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, actions, elements, components and / or groups thereof. The term "about" as used herein should also, when referring to a measurable value, such as an amount of a compound or agent of the invention, a dose, time, temperature, etc., be variations of 20%, 10 %, 5%, 1%, 0.5% or even 0.1% of the stated amount.

Provided not otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) that are here used the same meaning as a professional the field to which the invention belongs, usually will understand. It is further understood that expressions like those used in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have meaning, in accordance with their meaning in the context of relevant technique is, and not in an idealized or excessive formal sense, unless expressly stated here so defined.

All Publications, patent applications, patents and others References mentioned here are by reference taken in their entirety. The citation of a reference herein but not as an acknowledgment that this reference is prior art for the present invention described herein become.

According to the Present invention lithium dispersions are prepared by Heating the lithium metal powder in a hydrocarbon oil to a temperature above its melting point, subject under conditions sufficient to disperse the molten lithium, vigorously agitating or stirring and contacting the lithium metal powder with a polymer at a temperature between this temperature and is at or above the melting point of lithium, around a substantially continuous layer of the polymer deliver. The essentially uninterrupted layer of polymer has a thickness of 25 to 200 nm and often has one Thickness of 80 to 120 nm. Other alkali metals, such as sodium and Potassium, according to the present Invention are coated.

suitable Polymers can be polymers that are water resistant are and the lithium ion-conducting or non-lithium ion-conducting are, for. B. when in the conventional electrolyte solvents are soluble. The polymers can with lithium be reactive or they can with lithium not be reactive. The following are just examples the polymer compounds and include: polyurethanes, polytetrafluoroethylene, Polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrenes, polyethylenes, polypropylene, Polyformaldehyde (Delrin), styrene-butadiene-styrene block polymers, Ethylene-vinyl acetate, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyethylene oxide, polyimides, Polythiophenes, poly (para-phenylene), polyanilines, poly (p-phenylenevinylene), Silica-titanium dioxide copolymers, unsaturated polycarboxylic acid polymer and polysiloxane copolymers, etc.

The Polymer can be added to the lithium droplets during the dispersion, or at one lower temperature after cooling the lithium dispersion has been. It is understood that combinations of different Types of polymers with different chemical compositions, Molecular weights, melting points and hardnesses used can be specific coating properties for certain applications. For example, the Stickiness levels are controlled to the incorporation of the SLMP using the "transfer separator" concept to allow at which a certain degree of stickiness is required. It is also understood that the mono used mers can be used to make an in-situ polymer coating to produce the surface of the lithium particles.

It is also advantageous to use polymer or polymer blends with any inorganic coating, e.g. Li ₂ CO ₃ , LiF, Li ₃ PO ₄ , SiO ₂ , Li ₄ SiO ₄ , LiAlO ₂ , Li ₂ TiO ₃ , LiNbO ₃ , Al ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , ZrO ₂ and the like to improve both air stability and stability to polar solvents, which would allow safer handling and also the ability to use commonly used polar solvents that would commonly dissolve polymer binders used. It is recognized that most polymers are soluble in nonpolar solvents at elevated temperatures and that the solubility at room temperature may be significant (see Table 2) and that wash solvents used to remove oil from the particles suitably should be selected. Sometimes dry non-stabilized or stabilized powders can be converted to nonpolar solvents which. compatible with lithium, and the polymer coatings can, for. Using rotary evaporation techniques, thereby avoiding the solubility problem.

Suitable polymers described above may have two types of coatings Lithium particles produce: a first type representing a physical or adhesive type, and second, that representing chemically bound coatings using polymers having functional groups. For example, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) contain carbon-hydrogen groups that do not react with Li. This type of polymer is useful as a lithium particle coating reagent because Van der Waals physical interaction allows carbon-hydrogen molecules to adhere to the surface of lithium particles. On the other hand, react polymers such. As poly (acrylic acid) and ethylene-vinyl acetate with lithium, since they contain functional acid groups and thus form a chemically bonded coating.

The change in process and process parameters and the order of addition of reagents to polymer-coated lithium particles can result in different surface properties. Different process parameters can lead to samples with different surface properties (see 7 ). Polymers or polymer blends may be added above the melting point of lithium before or after other dispersants (eg, wax) and coating reagent additions to improve chemical bonding and uniformity of the protective layer by altering the reaction interfaces. The cooling profile, the temperature at which the polymer is added during the dispersing process, can be used to control the degree of crystallinity and to obtain samples having a predetermined degree of tack.

The The following examples are merely illustrative of Invention and are not limiting.

EXAMPLES

Comparative Example 1

Lithium metal (405 g) suitable for batteries was cut into 2 x 2 inch pieces and placed under a constant dry argon stream at room temperature in a 3 liter stainless steel 4 "head stainless steel flask reactor fitted with a stirrer shaft fitted with a fixed high-speed stirring motor was connected. The reactor was fitted with upper and lower jackets. The reactor was then assembled and 1041.4 g Penetek ^® oil (Penreco, Department of Penzoil Products Company) were added. The reactor was then heated to about 200 ° C and gentle agitation in the range of 250 rpm to 800 rpm was maintained to ensure that all of the metal had melted while maintaining the argon flow throughout the heating step. Then, the mixture was stirred at high speed (up to 10,000 rpm) for 2 minutes. 8.1 g of oleic acid was added to the reactor and high speed stirring was continued for a further 3 minutes, followed by the addition of 5.1 g of CO ₂ . Then, the stirring was stopped at high speed, the heating jackets were removed, and the dispersion was allowed to cool to about 50 ° C and transferred to storage bottles. The lithium dispersion was further filtered and washed three times with hexane and once with n-pentane in an enclosed sintered glass funnel to remove the hydrocarbon oil medium under argon flow. The funnel was heated with a heat gun to remove traces of the solvents and the resulting free-flowing powder was transferred to tightly sealed storage bottles.

Comparative Example 2

Penetek -Mineralöl ^® (4.449 g) and 1.724 g for Battery grade lithium metal were added under an argon atmosphere in a jacketed 15 liter reactor the dispersion at room temperature. The reactor was then heated from room temperature to 200 ° C by pumping hot heat transfer fluid through the jacket. During heating of the dispersion, the stirrer was kept at low speed to facilitate heat exchange. After the temperature within the reactor reached 200 ° C, the speed of the dispersing stirrer was increased to 5,000 rpm. After 3.5 minutes of high speed stirring, 36 grams of oleic acid were added to the reactor and high speed stirring continued for an additional 4.5 minutes, followed by the addition of 22 grams of CO ₂ gas. After an additional 4 minutes of high speed stirring, the high speed stirrer was turned off and the reactor contents were brought down to room temperature. During the cooling process, the dispersion was kept in suspension by low speed stirring. The lithium dispersion was transferred under argon pressure to a discontinuous filter and the mineral oil was allowed to drain. The dispersion in the filter was washed four times with hexane; then dry argon was blown through the filter to remove residual volatile organics. The dry, stabilized, polymer-coated lithium dispersion was removed as the final product from the filter.

example 1

A lithium dispersion (47.30 g) passivated with CO ₂ gas in oil (27.5%) containing 13.01 g of lithium with a mean particle size of 45 microns was added to a 120 ml Hastelloy can with a 1 inch Teflon coated stir bar. Also, 1.3 g of dry PEO (Polyox WSR N80) powder was added to the can. The solution was heated from ambient to 75 ° C at a rate of 5 ° C / min and held for 10 minutes. The sample was further heated from 75 ° C to 175 ° C at 5 ° C / min and held for 1 h. This mixture was stirred continuously at 200 rpm during the heating phase. The sample was allowed to cool to room temperature and transferred to the storage bottle. The lithium dispersion was further filtered and washed three times with hexane in an enclosed sintered glass filter funnel and twice with n-pentane to remove the hydrocarbon oil medium. The funnel was heated with a heat gun to remove traces of the solvents and the resulting free-flowing powder was transferred to tightly sealed storage bottles.

Example 2

A lithium dispersion (45.00 g) passivated with CO ₂ gas in oil (27.5%) containing 12.37 g of lithium with a mean particle size of 45 microns was added to a 120 ml Hastelloy can with a 1 inch Teflon coated stir bar. 1.2 g of dry PEO (Polyox WSR N80) powder was also added to the can. The solution was heated from ambient to 75 ° C at a rate of 5 ° C / min and held for 10 minutes. The sample was further heated from 75 ° C to 175 ° C at 5 ° C / min and held for 1 h. Finally, the sample was heated from 175 ° C to 200 ° C at 20 ° C / min. This mixture was stirred continuously at 200 rpm during the heating phase. The sample was allowed to cool to room temperature and transferred to a storage bottle. The lithium dispersion was further filtered and washed three times with hexane and twice with n-pentane in an enclosed sintered glass filter funnel to remove the hydrocarbon oil medium. The funnel was heated with a heat gun to remove traces of the solvents and the resulting free-flowing powder was transferred to tightly sealed storage bottles.

Example 3

A lithium dispersion (44.00g) passivated with CO ₂ gas in oil (27.5%) containing 12.10g of lithium with a mean particle size of 45 microns was added to a 120 ml Hastelloy can with a 1 inch Teflon coated stir bar. The solution was heated to 75 ° C and 1.2 ml BYK-P 104 S (BYK Chemie) was added to the lithium dispersion. This mixture was stirred continuously for 1 h at 200 rpm. The sample was allowed to cool to room temperature and transferred to a storage bottle. The lithium dispersion was further filtered and washed three times with hexane and twice with n-pentane in an enclosed sintered glass filter funnel to remove the hydrocarbon oil medium. The funnel was heated with a heat gun to remove traces of the solvents and the resulting free-flowing powder was transferred to tightly sealed storage bottles.

Example 4

A stabilized lithium dispersion (54.99 g) in oil (11.275%), the 6.20 g lithium with a mean particle size of 58 micron was placed in a 120 ml can of hastelloy given with a 1 inch Teflon coated stir bar was equipped. At ambient temperature, 0.62 g SBR in the form of a 10% solution in p-xylene (Aldrich) added to the lithium dispersion. This mixture was for Stirred continuously at 200 rpm for 19 h. The sample was transferred to a storage bottle. The lithium dispersion was further filtered and washed three times with hexane and twice with n-pentane washed in an enclosed sintered glass filter funnel to the Remove hydrocarbon oil medium. The funnel was heated with a heat gun to remove traces of the solvent to remove, and the resulting free-flowing powder was transferred to tightly closed storage bottles.

Example 5

A stabilized lithium dispersion (54.68 g) in oil (11.275%) containing 6.17 g lithium with a mean particle size of 58 microns was placed in a 120 mL can of hastelloy made with a 1 inch Teflon-coated stir bar was equipped. At ambient temperature, 0.62 g of EVA (Aldrich) in the form of a 5% solution pre-dissolved in p-xylene (Aldrich) was added to the lithium dispersion. This mixture was stirred continuously at 200 rpm for 2.5 hours. The sample was transferred to a storage bottle. The Lithium dispersion was further filtered and washed three times with hexane and twice with n-pentane in an enclosed sintered glass filter funnel to remove the hydrocarbon oil medium. The funnel was heated with a heat gun to remove traces of the solvents and the resulting free-flowing powder was transferred to tightly sealed storage bottles.

Example 6

A stabilized lithium dispersion (54.00 g) in oil (11.275%), the 6.09 g lithium with a mean particle size of 58 micron was placed in a 120 ml can of hastelloy given with a 1 inch Teflon coated stir bar was equipped. At ambient temperature, 0.5 ml Butadiene (Aldrich) and 0.5 ml of styrene (Aldrich) for lithium dispersion given. This mixture was continuous with for 1 h Stirred 200 rpm. The sample was transferred to a storage bottle. The lithium dispersion was further filtered and washed three times with hexane and twice with n-pentane in an enclosed sintered glass filter funnel washed to remove the hydrocarbon oil medium. The funnel was heated with a heat gun to remove traces of Solvent to remove, and the resulting free-flowing Powder was transferred to tightly closed storage bottles.

Example 7

10.0 g SLMP (stabilized lithium metal powder) was added to a 1 liter Weighed round-necked flask. 32.1 g of p-xylene (Aldrich) and 0.28 g of SBR in the form of a 10% solution pre-dissolved in p-xylene (Aldrich) were added to the flask. The mixture containing Flask was attached to a rotary vacuum evaporator extractor and heated with rotation to 70 ° C. After 15 minutes Keeping the temperature at 70 ° C, vacuum was applied to to evaporate the solvent. The sample was then placed in a Convicted storage bottle.

Example 8

4.0 g unstabilized lithium powder having an average particle size of 58 microns and 36 g of p-xylene (Aldrich) were placed in a 120 ml tin made of hastelloy, which was mixed with a 1 inch teflon-coated stir bar was equipped. The mixture was heated to 40 ° C, while mixing at 200 rpm. At 40 ° C 0.40 g of EVA were pre-dissolved in the form of a 10% solution in p-xylene (Aldrich) to the mixture of lithium and p-xylene. This mixture was continuous for 20 h at 200 rpm touched. The sample was transferred to a 200 ml round bottom flask. Further, p-xylene was evaporated by passing dry argon over the Sample was passed. The resulting free-flowing powder was transferred to a tightly closed storage bottle.

Example 9

A stabilized lithium dispersion (2,149.8 g) in oil (11.0%), the 236.5 g lithium with a mean particle size of 58 microns was placed in a 3 liter round bottom flask with a variable speed propeller stirrer was equipped. At ambient temperature, 23.8 g EVA (Aldrich) in the form of a 10% solution in p-xylene (Aldrich) to the lithium dispersion. This mixture was for Stirred continuously at 500 rpm for 4 h. The sample was transferred to a storage bottle. The lithium dispersion was further filtered and washed three times with hexane and twice with n-pentane washed in an enclosed sintered glass filter funnel to the Remove hydrocarbon oil medium. The funnel was heated with a heat gun to remove traces of the solvent and the resulting free-flowing powder became transferred to tightly closed storage bottles.

Example 10

A stabilized lithium dispersion (1127.0 g) in oil (11.2%) containing 126.6 g lithium with a mean particle size of 63 microns was placed in a 5 L round bottom flask equipped with a variable speed propeller stirrer , The temperature was raised to 41.3 ° C and 12.5 g of EVA (Aldrich) in the form of a 5% solution in p-xylene (Aldrich) was added to the lithium dispersion. This mixture was stirred continuously at 500 rpm for about 6 hours at 40 ° C and then at ambient temperature for another ~ 18 hours. The sample was transferred to a storage bottle. The lithium dispersion was further filtered and washed three times with hexane and twice with n-pentane in an enclosed sintered glass filter funnel to remove the hydrocarbon oil medium. The funnel was heated with a heat gun to remove traces of the solvents, and the resulting free-flowing powder was solidified transferred closed storage bottles.

Example 11

Penetek ^® -Mineralöl, 15,390 g, and 4.415 g for Battery grade lithium metal were added under an argon atmosphere in a jacketed 57 liter reactor the dispersion at room temperature. The reactor was then heated from room temperature to 190 ° C by pumping hot heat transfer fluid through the jacket. During heating, the dispersing stirrer was maintained at low speed to facilitate heat exchange to the reactor contents. After the temperature within the reactor reached 190 ° C, the speed of the dispersing stirrer was increased to 4,800 rpm. After 3 min of high speed stirring, 90 g of oleic acid were placed in the reactor and high speed stirring was continued for another 4 min, followed by the addition of 56 g of CO ₂ gas. After an additional 6 minutes of high speed stirring, 154 grams of polyethylene oxide (PEO) granules were added to the reactor and high speed stirring was continued for 3 more minutes. Then, the high speed stirrer was turned off and the reactor contents were brought down to room temperature. During the cooling process, the dispersion was kept in suspension by low speed stirring. The lithium dispersion was transferred under argon pressure to a discontinuous filter and the mineral oil allowed to drain under argon pressure. The dispersion in the filter was washed four times with hexane; then dry argon was blown through the filter to remove residual volatile organics. The dry, stabilized, polymer-coated lithium dispersion was removed as the final product from the filter.

The following 1 to 5 and 7 show the stability of the polymer-coated samples in NMP which is widely used as a solvent in the manufacturing process of electrodes for lithium-ion rechargeable battery industry. The following procedure is used to perform this test: SLMP and solvent are charged to the test cell under argon, then the test cell is brought to 25 ° C and held isothermally for 72 hours, then the temperature is ramped up to 55 ° C and isothermic for 48 hours held; the mixture is stirred continuously. The lithium metal content of the samples is measured after completion of the test: the higher the content, the better the protective properties of the coating. As can be seen in Table 1 below, the lithium concentration is 17.3% or more for the samples in the examples shown. No adverse effects were observed on the electrochemical properties of the polymer additive for the graphite electrode. (Please refer 6 .) The 8A . 8B and 8C show the different surface properties of Examples 5, 8 and 9 due to changes in process parameters. A separate test was run to determine the lithium content as a function of time with water-added NMP, and a significant improvement was found. (Please refer 9A and 9B .) Examples of the residual lithium metal concentration measured using the ARSST standard test with NMP added with 0.6% water coating agents example Lithium metal residual concentration EVA Example 10 (785-106) 24.3% SBR Example 7 (767-200) 17.3% PEO Example 1 (PEOR043007) 38.2% PEO Example 2 (PEOR050807) 30.9% Table 2. Examples of solubility of the polymers in selected solvents LuWax A SBR EVA PEO hexane 0.46% 3.92% 1.21% 0.03% pentane 0.48% 4.1% 0.46% 0.03% xylene 0.81% > 10% > 10% > 10%

Having thus described certain embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention as defined by the appended claims is not to be determined by the particular details thereof It should be construed that the foregoing description is intended to be limited since many obvious variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, as hereinafter claimed. The following claims are provided to ensure that the present application meets all legal requirements as a priority application in all jurisdictions, and is not to be construed as representing the full scope of the present invention.

SUMMARY

STABILIZED LITHIUM METAL POWDER FOR LI-ION APPLICATIONS, COMPOSITION AND MANUFACTURING PROCESS

The present invention provides a lithium metal powder protected by a substantially uninterrupted layer of a polymer. Such a substantially uninterrupted polymer layer provides improved protection as compared to a typical CO ₂ passivation.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 5567474 [0007]
• - US 5776369 [0007]
• US 5976403 [0007]

Claims (9)

Stabilized lithium metal powder containing a coated in substantially uninterrupted polymer layer, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, Polystyrenes, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyformaldehyde, styrene-butadiene-styrene block polymers, Ethylene-vinyl acetate, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyethylene oxide, polyimides, Polythiophenes, poly (para-phenylene), polyaniline, poly (p-phenylenevinylene), Copolymers based on silica titania, unsaturated Polycarboxylic acids and polysiloxanes. Stabilized lithium metal powder according to claim 1, wherein the substantially uninterrupted polymer layer is a Thickness of 25 to 200 nm. Stabilized lithium metal powder according to claim 2, further comprising an inorganic coating. Anode, comprising a host material that is capable is to absorb lithium in an electrochemical system or desorb, wherein the stabilized coated with polymer Lithium metal powder according to claim 3 dispersed in the host material is. An anode according to claim 4, wherein the host material is at least comprises a material selected from the group consisting of carbon-containing Materials, silicon, tin, tin oxides, tin composite alloys, transition metal oxides, Lithium metal nitrides, graphite, carbon black and lithium metal oxides selected is. An anode according to claim 5, wherein the substantially continuous polymer layer has a thickness of 25 to 200 nm. Stabilized lithium metal powder coated with a substantially uninterrupted polymer layer having a Thickness of 25 to 200 nm. Anode, comprising a host material that is capable is to absorb lithium in an electrochemical system or desorb, wherein the stabilized, polymer-coated Lithium metal powder according to claim 7 dispersed in the host material is. A method of forming a lithium dispersion comprising the steps: a) contacting lithium metal with a hydrocarbon oil; b) Heating the lithium metal and the hydrocarbon oil to a temperature higher than the melting point the lithium metal; c) subjecting the heated lithium metal and the hydrocarbon oil under conditions that are sufficient to disperse the lithium metal in the oil; and d) Contacting the lithium metal with a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polytetrafluoroethylene, Polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrenes, polyethylenes, Polypropylenes, (polyformaldehyde), styrene-butadiene-styrene block polymers, Ethylene-vinyl acetate, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyethylene oxide, Polyimides, polythiophenes, poly (para-phenylene), polyaniline, poly (p-phenylenevinylene), Copolymers based on silica titania, unsaturated Polycarboxylic acids and polysiloxanes at a temperature between the melting point of the lithium metal and the melting point of the polymer to form a substantially continuous layer of To provide polymer on the lithium metal.